NPR News Now

Episode: NPR News: 01-29-2026 6PM EST
Date: January 29, 2026
Host: Ryland Barton

Episode Overview

This concise NPR News Now episode delivers a snapshot of top national and international news as of January 29, 2026. The episode covers ongoing debates around U.S. immigration enforcement policy, the looming threat of a partial federal government shutdown over funding disputes, economic updates, renewed U.S.-Venezuela relations, new additions to the National Film Registry, and the legal contest over an Olympic gymnastics medal.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Immigration Enforcement and Policy Tensions (00:15–02:55)

• Minnesota & Immigration Enforcement
  President Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, indicates officer reductions in Minnesota would only follow cooperation with state officials, emphasizing that prioritizing the most dangerous offenders doesn’t mean other cases are ignored.

  • Tom Homan (00:30):

    "We are not surrendering the president's mission in immigration enforcement. Let's make that clear. Prioritization of criminal ambulance doesn't mean we forget about everybody else. That's just simply ridiculous. But when you have a criminal standing here and a non criminal standing there, that criminal always should be targeted... because he's a significant concern to the safety and security of the community."

• ICE Operations in Maine Maine has ended its surge of ICE agents following concerns raised by local officials, with both support and criticism from political figures.

  • Republican Senator Susan Collins confirms the surge is over after discussions with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
  • Governor Janet Mills states the end of the ICE surge doesn’t end community pain.
  • Lewiston Mayor Carl Schelleen:

    "ICE operations in Maine have failed to improve public safety." (Erwin Gratz report, 01:42)

• Senate Funding Stalemate The Senate fails to advance a funding package tied to immigration enforcement practices, raising the prospect of a partial government shutdown.

  • Democrats demand reforms in DHS, including transparency and accountability measures (body cameras, code of conduct).
  • Barbara Sprunt (02:13):

    "The measure needs 60 votes to advance, which means Democrats are critical for any future passage... Agencies will run out of funding after Friday."

2. Economic and Employment Update (02:55–03:10)

• Unemployment Benefits Applications for unemployment benefits remain stable, indicating economic resilience despite some high-profile layoffs.

3. International & Diplomatic News (03:10–03:48)

• US-Venezuela Relations President Trump announces plans to reopen commercial airspace to Venezuela and restore direct flights; reopening of the US Embassy in Venice, Venezuela is being considered.

4. Arts & Culture: National Film Registry Additions (03:48–04:29)

• Library of Congress Announcements The latest annual selection of 25 films to be preserved spans over a century, highlighting classics and culturally significant movies.
  • Added films range from an 1896 silent comedy to modern dramas like "Philadelphia" and "Glory," as well as generational favorites like "The Karate Kid," "Clueless," and "The Big Chill."
  • Netta Ulaby (03:48):

    "More than 130 years of filmmaking are represented in the registry... classic films for Generation X, such as the Karate Kid and Clueless, and an iconic film for baby boomers, the Big Chill."

5. Olympics: Gymnastics Medal Dispute (04:29–04:55)

• 2024 Paris Olympics Controversy The U.S. and Romania are set for a legal review over a disputed gymnastics bronze medal, stripped from American Jordan Chiles due to an alleged timing technicality regarding score challenge. The medal was re-awarded to Romania's Anna Maria Barbosu.
  • The conflict centers on whether the U.S. missed the opportunity to challenge a score by just a few seconds.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Tom Homan discussing immigration enforcement priorities (00:30)

  • "We are not surrendering the president's mission in immigration enforcement. Let's make that clear. Prioritization of criminal ambulance doesn't mean we forget about everybody else..."

• Lewiston Mayor Carl Schelleen on ICE operations (01:42)

  • "ICE operations in Maine have failed to improve public safety."

• Barbara Sprunt on Senate negotiations (02:13)

  • "The measure needs 60 votes to advance, which means Democrats are critical for any future passage..."

• Netta Ulaby on the significance of the National Film Registry additions (03:48)

  • "More than 130 years of filmmaking are represented in the registry. The oldest movie added this year was a silent film comedy from 1896."

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:15 Top news headlines with Ryland Barton
• 00:30 Tom Homan on immigration enforcement priorities
• 01:12 ICE operations in Maine end, reported by Erwin Gratz
• 02:13 Senate fails to advance DHS funding, raising shutdown fears (Barbara Sprunt)
• 02:55 US unemployment benefits update
• 03:10 US-Venezuela relations thaw; embassy reopening
• 03:48 National Film Registry new additions (Netta Ulaby)
• 04:29 Olympic gymnastics medal dispute heads to Swiss court

Summary

This NPR News Now episode covers urgent developments in U.S. immigration policy and enforcement, with reactions from federal officers and political figures at state and local levels. It explores the ongoing struggle in Congress over federal funding and immigration reforms, alongside brief but insightful updates on employment statistics and U.S. foreign relations with Venezuela. The episode also celebrates notable cinematic additions to the National Film Registry and spotlights a closely watched Olympic medal dispute, offering a brisk yet comprehensive snapshot of the day's pressing stories.